Caulking gun

ABSTRACT

The cartridge chamber is connected with the trigger assembly by a tubular casing and a pressure member which are adjustable so as to provide a caulking gun of any desired length and the trigger assembly is rotatably connected to the tubular casing or to the cartridge chamber so that the relative position of these two components may be varied.

limited States Patent 91 Deeb [ Apr. 10, 1973 CAULKING GUN [75] Inventor: Fred E. Deeb, Tallahassee, Fla.

[73] Assignee: Speed Caulking, Inc., Tallahassee,

Fla.

[22] Filed: Dec. 2l, 1970 21 Appl.No.: 99,961

[52] US. Cl. ..222/174, 222/323, 222/327 [51] Int. Cl ..G01f 11/06 [58] Field of Search ..222/174, 323, 326, 222/327 [56] References (Iited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,019,905 11/1935 Huck ..'...-...222 526 3,510,028 5/ 1970 Batistelli...

2,441,292 5/1948 Schroeder ..222/526 X 3,512,684 5/ 1970 Sutton .222/327 2,720,422 10/1955 Mercer ..222/174 2,626,731 1/1953 Ekins ..222/323 X 3,070,827 1/1963 Ames ..222/174 X 3,381,861 5/1968 Stein ..222/327 X 3,401,847 9/1968 Downing "2227327 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Handren Att0rneyBacon & Thomas [57] ABSTRACT The cartridge chamber is connected with the trigger assembly by a tubular casing and a pressure member which are adjustable so as to provide a caulking gun of any desired length and the trigger assembly is rotatably connected to the tubular casing or to the cartridge chamber so that the relative position of these two components may be varied.

8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENIEDAPR 1 01973 SHEET 1 [1F 3 IiN'VI'IN'I'OR. Fem E. 0668 MMW PATENTEDAPR 1 01873 SHEET 2 [1F 3 position;

CAULKING GUN DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Known caulking guns are either relatively short with the trigger assembly rigidly connected to the chamber which receives a conventional cartridge of caulking compound or other mastic material, or they are of substantial, fixed length as disclosed in my US. Pat. No. 3,512,684. Neither the short caulking guns nor the ones of fixed, substantial length meet all of the requirements of the construction and other industries where caulking material is applied at varying distances from the operator of the gun.

SUMMARY OF TI-IE INVENTION The present improved caulking gun is more versatile than prior art caulking guns, and provides an arrangement wherein the length of the gun may be varied and the relative-position of the trigger assembly and the cartridge chamber may be rotatably adjusted.

It is an object of the invention to provide a caulking gun for conveniently applying caulking or mastic material at different distances from the gun operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a caulking gun for applying caulking material in various directions and at different angles while maintaining the trigger assembly in an easily operable position.

An additional object is to provide a caulking gun which will permit the operator to apply caulking or.

specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A are fragmentary, elevation views of a telescopically adjustable caulking gun, and showing in FIG. 1A in 'phantom lines, the gun in an extended FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the gun taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing in phantom lines positions to which the trigger assembly may be rotated with respect to the remainder of the caulking gun;

FIG. 3 and FIG. 3A are enlarged, fragmentary, crosssectional views of the caulking gun illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view, partly in section, showing a modified form of the caulking 8"";

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view, partly in cross-section, of the caulking gun of FIG. which has been extended in length;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the forward end portion of the caulking gun of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the forward end portion of the caulking gun of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a further modification of the present caulking gun; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view, partly in section, showing a further modification, of the rotary connection between the trigger assembly and the caulking cartridge chamber.

The caulking gun shown in FIGS. 1-6 includes a trigger assembly 1, a chamber 3 for receiving a conventional cartridge containing caulking or mastic material, a tubular casing 5 which is of substantial length and is telescopically adjustable, and an elongated pressure member 7 which is also telescopically adjustable.

The trigger assembly 1 includes a handle or grip 9 and a trigger l1 pivotally mounted between the side walls of the grip 9 on a pin 13. A pawl 15 for advancing the pressure member is pivotally mounted on the upper end of the trigger 11 and is biased upwardly into engagement with the ratchet teeth 17 provided on a flat surface of the rearmost rod portion 7a of the pressure member 7 by a wire resilient spring 19 carried by thetrigger 11. The trigger 11 is urged to the extended position shown in FIG. 1 by a wire spring 21 which is coiled around the pin 13 and bears against the inner surface of the trigger, 11 and the interior of the grip 9. A holding pawl 23 is pivotally mounted between the side walls of the grip 9 on a pin 25 and is urged into engagement with the ratchet teeth 17 by a wire spring 27 carried by the pin 25. The pawl 15. advances the pressure member 7 upon actuation of the trigger l1 and the pawl 23 prevents retraction of the pressure member in the conventional manner when the trigger 11 isreleased.

The forward portion of the grip 9 terminates in a circular flange 29 and an annular, channel-shaped member 31 and a threaded support member 33 are fixedly secured to the forward face of the circular flange 29 by rivets 35 or other suitable fasteners. A spacer member 37 is rotatably' mounted within the channelshaped member 31 and is maintained therein by the inwardly extending flange 39 provided on the member 31 engaging the shoulder 41 formed on the spacer member 37. The channel-shaped member 31 is circular on its inner surface and the circular periphery of the spacer member 37 is spaced a short distance from the inner surface of the channel-shaped member so that it may rotate freely therein.

In order to provide guiding means for the rear portion of the pressure member 7, a bushing 43 having a guide opening 46 formed therein is threaded into the interior of the support member 33 and the grip 9 is pro-' tion 47 so that it may telescope or slide freely within the rear section without binding or undue friction.

A bushing 51 having an octagonal exterior surface is fixed within the rear end of the rear section.47 and this section is connected to the trigger assembly by the threads 53 formed in the bushing 41 in engagement with the threads 55 formed on the exterior surface of the support member 33.

The chamber 3 for receiving a conventional cartridge of caulking or other mastic compound, is of customary configuration and includes a semi-cylindrical body portion 59, a front wall 61 fixed to the forward end of the body portion 59 and provided with the conventional vertical slot, not shown, for receiving the nozzle of a caulking cartridge, and a rear wall 63 fixed to the rear end of the body portion 59. The front end of the tubular front section 49 is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the rear surface of the wall 63. A central opening 65 is formed in the rear wall 63 for supporting and guiding the forward end of the pressure member 7.

The sections 47 and 49 of the tubular casing may be telescopically adjusted to a plurality of positions for varying the length of the caulking gun. A pair of elongated flat springs 67 and 67a extend longitudinally on opposite sides of the innersurface of the front tubular section 49 adjacent the rearmost end thereof and are fixed at one end to the front section by the rivets 69. A circular head member 70 and 70a is fixed to the other end of the springs 67 and 67a and extend freely outwardly through the openings 72 and 72a formed in the wall of the front section 49 and into keeper openings 74 and 74a formed at spaced intervals in the wall of the rear section'47.

The pressure member rear portion 7a includes an out-turned rear end portion 76 for rotating the pressure member and the ratchet teeth 17 thereof into and out of engagement with the drive and holding pawls and 23. The forward end of the-pressure member 7 includes a rod 78 extending through'the guide opening 65 and into the chamber 3 with a heavy metal push plate or disc 80 disposed in the chamber 3 and riveted or otherwise secured to the free end of the rod 78.

The forward end of the rod portion 7a of the pressure member 7 is connected with the rear end of the rod portion 78 by adjustable means including an elongated, square tubular member 82 and a short, square tubular member 84 of a size to slide freely within the tubular member 82.

' As shown in FIG. 5, a square block member 86 is positioned within the rear end of the long tubular member 82 and the forward end of the portion 7a of the pressure member is secured to the rear end of the tubular member 82 by a rivet 88 which passes through the side walls of the tubular member 82, through the block 86 and through the end of the rod 70.

The rear end of the rod 78 is secured to the short tubular member 84, as shown in FIG. 6, by a rivet 90 extending through the rod 78, through a square block 92 disposed within the member 84 and through the walls of the said tubular member 84.

The tubular members 82 and 84 are telescopically adjustable so that the lengthof the pressure member may be changed with a change in length of the tubular casing 5. A pair of flat spring members 94 and 94a are secured at one end thereof to the inner surface of opposed walls of the tubular member 84 by rivets 96 and 96a. Circular head members 98 and 98a are fixed to the other end of the springs 94 and 94a and extend freely outwardly through openings 99 and 990 formed in the side walls of the tubular member 84. A series of latch openings 100 and 100a are formed in the wall of the tubular member 82 spaced along its length at intervals equal to the spacing of the keeper openings 74 and 74a and receive therein the head members 98 and 98a.

With the caulking gun assembled as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, the length thereof is adjustable by pressing the head members and 70a inwardly against the tension of the springs 67 and 67a until the outer surface of the heads is below the inner surface of the inner wall of the rear section 47 and by simultaneously pressing the head members 98 and 98a inwardly until the outer surface thereof is below the inner surface of the tubular member 82 and'then applying sufficient force to the front and rear section 49 and 47 to cause them to telescope. The outer surface of the head members 70 and 70a will slide along the inner surface of the rear tubular section 47 until the next adjacent keeper openings 74 and 74a are reached whereupon the springs 67 and 67a will force the head members 70 and 70a outwardly into these openings. At the same time, the outer surface of the head members 98 and 98a will slide along the inner surface of the tubular member 82 until the next adjacent latch openings and 100a are simultaneously reached at which time the springs 94 and 94a will force the head members 98 and 98a outwardly into said openings. In order to reach the head members 98 and 98a, suitable rectangular openings 102 are formed in the side wall of the rear section 47 at suitable intervals. As shown in phantom lines in FIG. 1A, the caulking gun has been extended from the position shown in solid lines in the manner described above. v

The extended caulking gun shown in FIGS. 7-10 includes a trigger assembly similar in structure and operation to the one described above in connection with FIGS. 1 through 6, a caulking cartridge chamber 122, a cylindrical tubular casing 124 and a pressure member 126.

,The caulking gun of FIGS. 7-10 is extensible byproviding cylindrical tubular casings of varying length and by varying the length of the pressure member in accordance with the length of the, tubular casing employed.

As shown in FIG. 7, the integral tubular casing 124 is of minimum length and is threaded onto the trigger assembly in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. The pressure member 126 comprises an elongated rod 128 having ratchet teeth 130 formed along a flat surface at the rear end of the rod and is provided with an outturned end 132 for rotating the ratchet teeth 130 out of engagement with the conventional driving and holding pawls.

The caulking cartridge chamber 122 is connected with the forward end of the tubular casing 124 by means of a threaded stud 134-fixed to the rear wall 136 of the chamber and threaded into an insert 138 which is fixed in the forward end of the tubular casing.

A heavy metal push plate or disc 140 which engages the piston of the caulking cartridge, is secured to the forward threaded end 146 of the pressure rod 126 by a threaded nut 142 welded or otherwise rigid with the rear surface of the push plate 140.

In assemblying the extended caulking gun of FIGS. 7 and 9, the tubular casing is first screw-threaded onto the trigger assembly 120 with the pressure member 126 extending through the guide opening 144 provided in the threaded stud 134. The caulking cartridge chamber 122 is then connected to the forward end of the tubular casing 124 by threading the stud 134 into the threaded insert 138 and the push plate 140 is attached to the rod 126.

When a caulking gun of greater length is required, a longer tubular casing 124a is connected to the trigger assembly 120 and to the caulking cartridge chamber in the manner described above and the pressure member 126 is extended to whatever length is necessary for use with the tubular casing being employed. By providing a plurality of tubular casings of different length and by providing an extension member of the length required for use with each tubular casing, a gun of the length needed for any of a variety of situations may be assembled.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a tubular extension 148 having a threaded insert 150 fixed in the rear endthereof is screwed onto the threaded end 146 of the rod 128. The forward end of the tubular extension 148 carries a fixed insert 152 with a short rod 154 extending outwardly therefrom. The threaded nut 142 of the push plate 140 is threaded onto the outer end of the rod 154 to complete the assembly. Obviously, an extension could be fixed to the outer end of the casing 124 to extend its length in a manner similar to that shown for extending the length of the rod 128.

The caulking gun shown in FIG. 11, which is of substantially conventional length and includes a trigger assembly 170 provided with the customary trigger 172 and ratchet feed and holding pawls for engaging the ratchet teeth 174 of the pressure member 176, features a rotary connection between the trigger assembly and the cartridge chamber.

A threaded coupling 178 is secured to the forward face of the trigger assembly head 180 byrivets 182 and is provided on its inner surface with screw threads 184.

The caulking cartridge chamber 186 is connected with the trigger assembly 170 by means of a short, cylindrical spacer member 188 fixed to the outer surface of the rear wall 190 of the chamber 186 by rivets 192. The pressure rod 176 extends through the guide opening 193 provided in the spacer member 188 and a heavy metal push plate 194 having a nut 195 fixed t0 the rear surface thereof is threaded onto the outer end of the pressure 'rod 176. The threads 196 formed on the spacer member 188 are engaged with the threads 184 of the coupling 178 for securing the trigger assembly 170 to the chamber 186.

Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to have the caulking cartridge chamber fixed against rotation relative to the trigger assembly. This is accomplished in the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 6 by screwing the rear tubular section 47 onto the threaded support member 33 as far as possible, that is until the rear end of the tubular member 47 abutts against the opposed shoulder portion of the threaded support member 33. The same result may be obtained relative rotation between the chamber and the trigger assembly is prevented by screwing the spacer member 188 into the coupling 178 until the rear surface of the spacer member abutts against the opposed surface of the coupling.

Under other circumstances, it may be desirable to have the trigger assembly connected with the caulking cartridge chamber for rotation relative thereto and this is accomplished in the forms of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 through 10 by leaving a small space between the rear end of the tubular section and the threaded support member, for example, a distance equal to that between one thread and the next one, and this could be accomplished by first screwing the tubular section onto the threaded support until the rear end abutts against the threaded support and by then rotating the trigger assembly one turn in the opposite direction to unscrew the trigger assembly on thread.

In FIG. 11 the same thing could be accomplished by first threading the spacer member into engagement withthe opposed surface of the coupling 178 and by then rotating the trigger assembly in the opposite direction for one revolution with regards to the chamber 186. FIG. 2 illustrates that the trigger assembly or grip of the caulking gun may be rotated in either direction from a central location with regards to the position or attitude of I the caulking cartridge chamber.

FIG. 12 illustrates another form of rotary connection between the trigger assembly 201 and the caulking cartridge chamber 203 for providing a caulking gun which is more versatile for applying caulking and other mastic material in difficult to reach places and at different angles and directions.

A circular channel-shaped member 205 is fixed by the rivets 207 to the forward face of a head plate member 209 carried by the trigger assembly 201 and a short rigid extension member 211 is fixed by the rivets 213 to the outer surface of the rear wall 215 of the chamber 203. The inwardly extending flange portion 217 of the channel member 205 engages a shoulder 219 formed on the extension member 211 for maintaining the extension member within the circular channel of the member 205 while at the same time permitting relative rotation between the trigger assembly 201 and the chamber 203. The pressure rod 221 extends through a central guide opening 223 formed in theextension member 211 and a heavy metal push plate 225 having a threaded nut 227 fixed thereto is screwed onto the outer threaded end of the pressure rod 21. In the event that relative rotation between the trigger assembly and the caulking cartridge chamber is not desired, a pin 231 attached to the trigger assembly by a chain 233 may be inserted through aligned openings formed in the channel member 205 and an opening 235 formed in the extension member 211.

1 In order that the'present caulking gun will be strong,

durable and not readily damaged due to rough handling and at the same time will be as light in weight as possible, the tubular casings 5, 124 and 124a are preferably made of a light weight material such as aluminum or magnesium or an alloy of such metals. Obviously, the cross-sectional configuration of the tubular casings may be of any desired shape, including circular and the pressure members of FIGS. 1-10 may be rotatable relative to the tubular casings thereof without affecting the operation and assembly of the guns.

The caulking guns shown in the drawings and described in detail herein disclose arrangements of elements of particular construction and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and other arrangements thereof than those illustrated and described may be employed for providing adjustable caulking guns in accordance with the spirit of this invention, and such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the purview of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1.,A caulking gun for use in dispensing material froma cartridge having a tubular body provided with a nozzle on one end thereof and having a movable piston received within its opposite end, said gun comprising: a chamber having front, rear and bottom walls for receiving said cartridge; a trigger assembly having a trigger; a tubular casing of substantial length connected at one end to said chamber and at its other end to said trigger assembly; an elongated pressure member extending from said trigger assembly andprojecting into said chamber; push plate means disposed in said chamber sembly and simultaneously advancing said push plate means in said chamber. r

2. A caulking gun according to claim 1 including guide means for the pressure member for guiding one end thereof for reciprocation relative to said trigger assembly and for guiding the other end thereof for substantially the entire distance between the connection of the tubular casing and the trigger assembly and the connection of the tubular casing and said chamber.

4. A caulking gun according to claim 1 in which said pressure member is disposed coaxially within said tubular casing.

5. A caulking gun according to claim 4 including guide means for the pressure member for guiding one end thereof for reciprocation relative to said trigger assembly and for guiding the other end thereof for reciprocation in said chamber.

6. A caulking gun according to claim 1 in which both said telescoping tubular casing and said telescoping pressure member include a plurality of spaced-apart latch means for holding said telescoping casing and said telescopin member in adjusted position.

7. A cau king gun according to claim 1 in which one of said sections of said tubular casing is connected to said trigger assembly by means permitting relative rotation between the trigger assembly and said one section, and means is provided for selectively preventing relative rotation between the trigger assembly and said one section of the tubular casing.

8. A caulking gun for use in dispensing material from a cartridge having a tubular body provided with a nozzle on one end thereof and having a movable piston received within its opposite end, said gun comprising: a

chamber having front, rear and bottom walls for receiving said cartridge; a trigger assembly having a trigger; means connecting said chamber with said trigger assembly for rotation relative thereto, said means comprising a circular member carried by the rear wall of the chamber and a channel shaped member carried by the trigger assembly and enclosing the peripheral portion of the circular member; means to selectively fixedly secure togethersaid trigger assembly and said chamber and thereby prevent relative rotation therebetween including aligned openings provided in the circular member and. in the channel shaped member and a pin selectively inserted insaid aligned openings; a pressure rod extending from said trigger assembly and projecting into said chamber; push plate means disposed in said chamber and carried by the forward end of saidpressure rod for engaging the cartridge piston; and means responsive to actuation of said trigger for advancing said rod relative to the trigger as-' 

1. A caulking gun for use in dispensing material from a cartridge having a tubular body provided with a nozzle on one end thereof and having a movable piston received within its opposite end, said gun comprising: a chamber having front, rear and bottom walls for receiving said cartridge; a trigger assembly having a trigger; a tubular casing of substantial length connected at one end to said chamber and at its other end to said trigger assembly; an elongated pressure member extending from said trigger assembly and projecting into said chamber; push plate means disposed in said chamber and carried by the forward end of said pressure member for engaging the cartridge piston; said tubular casing comprising a pair of relatively movable, telescoping sections providing means for adjusting the length of said tubular casing varying the distance between said trigger assembly and said chamber; said pressure member comprising a pair of relatively movable, telescoping sections providing means for adjusting the length of said pressure member by substantially the same amount that the tubular casing is adjusted; and means responsive to actuation of said trigger for advancing said pressure member relative to the trigger assembly and simultaneously advancing said push plate means in said chamber.
 2. A caulking gun according to claim 1 including guide means for the pressure member for guiding one end thereof for reciprocation relative to said trigger assembly and for guiding the other end thereof for reciprocation in said chamber.
 3. A caulking gun according to claim 1 in which said pressure member is spaced from said tubular casing for substantially the entire distance between the connection of the tubular casing and the trigger assembly and the connection of the tubular casing and said chamber.
 4. A caulking gun according to claim 1 in which said pressure member is disposed coaxially within said tubular casing.
 5. A caulking gun according to claim 4 including guide means for the pressure member for guiding one end thereof for reciprocation relative to said trigger assembly and for guiding the other end thereof for reciprocation in said chamber.
 6. A caulking gun according to claim 1 in which both said telescoping tubular casing and said telescoping pressure member include a plurality of spaced-apart latch means for holding said telescoping casing and said telescoping member in adjusted position.
 7. A caulking gun according to claim 1 in which one of said sections of said tubular casing is connected to said trigger assembly by means permitting relative rotation between the trigger assembly and said one section, and means is provided for selectively preventing relative rotation between the trigger assembly and said one section of the tubular casing.
 8. A caulking gun for use in dispensing material from a cartridge having a tubular body provided with a nozzle on one end thereof and having a movable piston received within its opposite end, said gun comprising: a chamber having front, rear and bottom walls for receiving said cartridge; a trigger assembly having a trigger; means connecting said chamber with said trigger assembly for rotation relative thereto, said means comprising a circular member carried by the rear wall of the chamber and a channel shaped member carried by the trigger assembly and enclosing the peripheral portion of the circular member; means to selectively fixedly secure together said trigger assembly and said chamber and thereby prevent relative rotation therebetween including aligned openings provided in the circular member and in the channel shaped member and a pin selectively inserted in said aligned openings; a pressure rod extending from said trigger assembly and projecting into said chamber; push plate means disposed in said chamber and carried by the forward end of said pressure rod for engaging the cartridge piston; and means responsive to actuation of said trigger for advancing said rod relative to the trigger assembly and simultaneously advancing said push plate means in said chamber. 